Lockable arm

Abstract

A mechanical arm assembly which has two arm members connected by an elbow. The movable connectors at the end of each arm are connected by belts or the like to a locking mechanism at the elbow such that engaging the locking mechanism simultaneously locks both movable connectors as well as the elbow.

Claims

1. A mechanical arm comprising: a) a first and second arm, b) a first and a second positionable connector mechanism, said first positionable connector secured to a second end of the first arm, said second postionable connector secured to a second end of the second arm, said first postionable connector being selectively positionable relative to the first arm, and the second positionable connector being selectively positionable relative to the second arm; c) an elbow mechanism secured to a first end of the first arm and a first end of the second arm, said elbow mechanism allowing relative movement between the first and second arms; d) a first belt extending between the elbow mechanism and the first positionable connector such that movement of the first positionable connector causes movement of the first belt; e) a second belt extending between the elbow mechanism and the second positionable connector such that movement of the second positionable connector causes movement of the second belt; f) a manually operated locking mechanism located at the elbow, said manually operated locking mechanism simultaneously engaging the first belt and the second belt such that said locking mechanism is able to simultaneously prevent the first belt and the second belt from movement and the elbow mechanism.

2. The mechanical arm according to claim 1, further including, a) a first sprocket engaging the first positionable connector; b) a second sprocket engaging the second positionable connector; c) a third sprocket engaging the manually operated locking mechanism; and, d) wherein the first belt extends around the first sprocket and the third sprocket; and, e) wherein the second belt extends around the second sprocket and third sprocket.

3. The mechanical arm according to claim 2, wherein the first belt and the second belt each contain teeth adapted to engage the sprockets.

4. The mechanical arm according to claim 2, further including a mounting mechanism secured to a surface; and, wherein the second positionable connector is securable to the mounting mechanism.

5. The mechanical arm according to claim 4, further including a track; and, wherein the mounting mechanism is secure to the track.

6. The mechanical arm according to claim 3, wherein the track is secured to a ceiling.

7. The mechanical arm according to claim 1, further including an attachment mount and wherein the first positionable connector is securable to the attachment mount.

8. The mechanical arm according to claim 7, wherein the attachment mount is secured to a monitor.

9. A mechanical arm comprising: a) a first and second arm connected at their proximal ends via an elbow, said elbow having a manually operated locking mechanism; b) a first and a second positionable connector mechanism connected to the distal ends of the first and second arms respectively; c) a first belt extending between the locking mechanism and the first positionable connector and a second belt extending between the locking mechanism and the second positionable connector; and, d) wherein engagement of the locking mechanism simultaneously locks the first belt and the second belt to simultaneously prevent the first belt and the second belt from movement as well as the elbow mechanism.

10. The mechanical arm according to claim 9, further including, a) a first sprocket engaging the first positionable connector; b) a second sprocket engaging the second positionable connector; c) a third sprocket engaging the manually operated locking mechanism; and, d) wherein the first belt extends around the first sprocket and the third sprocket; and, e) wherein the second belt extends around the second sprocket and third sprocket.

11. The mechanical arm according to claim 10, wherein the first belt and the second belt each contain teeth adapted to engage the sprockets.

12. The mechanical arm according to claim 11, wherein the first belt and the second belt are made of flexible material.

13. The mechanical arm according to claim 11 wherein the first belt and the second belt are metal.

14. A mechanical arm comprising: a) a first and second arm connected by an elbow at a proximal end, each arm having a connector at a distal end thereof; b) a first belt extending between the elbow mechanism and the connector of the first arm such that movement of the t connector of the first arm causes movement of the first belt; c) a second belt extending between the elbow mechanism and the connector of the second arm such that movement of the connector of the second arm causes movement of the second belt; and, d) a manually operated locking mechanism located at the elbow, said manually operated locking mechanism simultaneously engaging the first belt and the second belt adapted to lock the first belt and the second belt in a stationary position.

15. The mechanical arm according to claim 14, further including, a) a first sprocket engaging the positionable connector of the first arm; b) a second sprocket engaging the positionable connector of the second arm; c) a third sprocket engaging the manually operated locking mechanism; and, d) wherein the first belt extends around the first sprocket and the third sprocket; and, e) wherein the second belt extends around the second sprocket and third sprocket.

16. The mechanical arm according to claim 15, wherein the first belt and the second belt each contain teeth adapted to engage the sprockets.

17. The mechanical arm according to claim 16, wherein the first belt and the second belt are made of flexible material.

18. The mechanical arm according to claim 16 wherein the first belt and the second belt are metal chains.

Description

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred arm.

(2) FIG. 2 is a view of the arm illustrating its motion.

(3) FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the parts used in the preferred embodiment.

(4) FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate the use of the arm in various applications.

DRAWINGS IN DETAIL

(5) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred arm.

(6) The arm has two arm portions 15A and 15B which are connected at their proximal ends via elbow 16.

(7) The arm uses two synchronous belts 10A and 10B that are fixed into position by a center tightening mechanism 11. Tightening mechanism 11 has handle 14 which is manually operated to tighten/lock or release belts 10A and 10B. When belts 10A and 10B are tightened (locked against movement), distal ends of the both arms 13A and 13B are also simultaneously locked.

(8) Belt tensioners 12A and 12B are used to provide tension to the belts to assure proper engagement with the sprockets (not shown). Belt tensioners 12A and 12B may not be needed if tolerances can be kept during manufacture. In one embodiment, belt tensioners 12A and 12B use a cam mechanism (not shown) which press onto belts 10A and 10B to selectively adjust them.

(9) At the distal ends of both arms, are attachments 13A and 13B, which in this illustration, have crossing ⅝ inch pin pass-through mounting hole for mounting in any direction. Other connectors are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

(10) In this manner, the invention provides for a lockable articulating arm that locks three pivoting joints using a single tightening mechanism. This enables the user to hold and guide their equipment with one hand while loosening, adjusting and fastening the arm with the other hand.

(11) Because of the use of belts 10A and 10B, the arm of this invention has a far greater load capacity than friction arms which usually starts sagging if stretched too far horizontally.

(12) In some embodiment, a scales is engraved at each pivot point to enable accurate repositioning.

(13) FIG. 2 is a view of the arm illustrating its motion.

(14) Arm portion 15B is able to move relative to arm portion 15A as shown by arrow 21 to be selectively positioned such as shown by arm portion 20B and arm portion 20A, or any other angle relative to arm portion 15A.

(15) This permits the arm portions 15A and 15B, together with attachments 13A and 13B, to be positioned with one hand of the user and then locked into the chosen position using the other hand operating handle 14.

(16) FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the parts used in the preferred embodiment.

(17) The arm is very simply made and uses synchronous belts to maintain a rigid and accurate position. Due to the simplicity of this arm, it is relatively inexpensive to produce. The initial tool investment for production is the cast mold, two extrusion dies and one stamping mold.

(18) Arm ends 30 are cast aluminum. Synchronous belts 31 (shown earlier as 10A and 10B), or chains, are readily available. Note the teeth in synchronous belts 31 which engage the belt pulleys/sprockets 32. In the preferred embodiment, the belt pulleys/sprockets 32 are ideally made from extruded aluminum profiles to reduce or totally eliminate further CNC processing.

(19) Belt covers 33 are ideally stamped from a sheet aluminum.

(20) With the teeth engaging the sprockets, once assembled, the assembled arm is durable and strong.

(21) FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate the use of the arm in various applications.

(22) The arm of this invention is mountable via a slide 40A into a ceiling rail system 40B (shown in FIG. 4A). A variety of different sized and length of arms is contemplated for this application.

(23) As shown in FIG. 4B, the arm is secured to a pole 41B via attachement 41A with the end of the arm secured to a table top having a workstation, computer or a writing tablet thereon.

(24) FIG. 4C shows the arm used to position a lighting fixture 42. FIG. 4D illustrates arm securable 43A to a table (not shown) with a camera located at the opposing end. FIG. 4E illustrates the arm used to hold a monitor or screen 44 at a desired position.

(25) These figures illustrate that although the arm is lightweight, it is strong enough to hold equipment, even heavy equipment, in a fixed horizontal position without slowly sagging due to vibration or vertical pressure.

(26) It is clear that the present invention provides for an improved arm which has a variety of applications in a variety of industries.